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Definition of syncopated

syncopated

/ˈsɪŋ.kəˌpeɪ.tɪd/
syn · co · pat · ed
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syncopated Lexical Profile

syncopated Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Characterized by a musical rhythm in which the accent or beat is shifted to a normally weak or unaccented beat.

Example

"The jazz pianist played a lively, syncopated melody that had the entire audience tapping their feet."

2

Shortened by the omission of one or more sounds or letters from the interior of a word (in linguistics and phonology).

Example

"Poetic texts often feature syncopated forms such as 'o'er' for 'over' and 'e'er' for 'ever' to maintain a strict meter."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

synchronous
synchronously
synchrony
syncopated
syncopation
syndicate
syndication

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the verb syncopate, which comes from Late Latin syncopatus, the past participle of syncopare ('to swoon' or 'to shorten a word'), ultimately from Ancient Greek synkoptein ('to cut short, strike together'), formed from syn- ('together') and koptein ('to strike, cut').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Syncopated. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/syncopated
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